Clutch.



N. F. MEYER.

CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 18,1912.

Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

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jvifncmcs Stratum N. F. MEYER.

CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15, 1912.

1,653,918, Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wpkr I Eu I NATHANIEL F. MEYER, OF NEWBURGH, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE MEYER MANU- FACTURIN G COMPANY, OF NEWBURGH, NEW YORK.

CLUTCH.

accents.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

Application filed April 18, 1912. Serial No. 691,581.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHANIEL F. MEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newburgh, in the county of Orange and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clutches; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertainsto make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in fluid operated clutches.

The main object of the invention is to provide a fluid operated clutch actuated bv a moving piston concentric with the shaft, and one in which a different rate of revolution may be caused in the driven member of the shaft by regulating the pressure in the cylinder.

Another object is to provide a clutch of this character in which the horse power transmitted is nearly proportionate to the pressure and which permits pressure to be admitted gradually to the cylinder, thereb securing a very easy engagement of the clutch members. 7

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel feature. of construction, and the combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a clutch constructed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section thereof; Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

In the embodiment illustrated a clutch is shown comprising a cylinder 1 keyed to a shaft 2 and having a piston 3 operable therein. This piston 3 is caused to rotate with the cylinder and shaft by means of a pin 4 on the inner face of the cylinder headwhich engages a socket 5 in said piston. A driven member is here shown in the form of a sleeve loosely mounted on the shaft 2 and having an annular disk-like friction member 7 for engagement by the piston 3, as will be hereinafter described.

While the friction surfaces are here shown in the form of disks, it is obvious that any other frictional device for transferring motion may be employed.

The actuating fluid, such as compressed air, steam or water is conveyed to the cylinder 1 through a pipe 8 controlled by a regulating valve 9, here shown in the form of a three-way cock. This pipe 8 is connected with a collar 10 mounted on the shaft 2, and in which said shaft revolves, said shaft having an annular groove or recess 11 in its periphery, and over which the collar 10 fits, the pipe 8 discharging into said groove. A transverse channel 12 extends through the shaft 2 and communicates at opposite ends with the groove 11, and a longitudinally disposed channel 13 extends from said channel 12 through a portion of the shaft 2 and communicates at its opposite end with a transverse channel 14 which opens into the cylinder 1 above the piston 3, and which admits the actuating fluid to said cylinder on the turning of the valve 9 either automatically or manually. Suitable stuffing boxes 15 and 16 and packlng rings 17 are employed to provide a fluid proof connection between the piston 3 and cylinder 1 and between the cylinder and thr shaft and the collar and the shaft, thereby avoiding all danger of leakage.

In the operation of this clutch, fluid under pressure is admitted from a suitable supply by turning the valve 9 to connect a pipe 18 with the pipe 8, which permits the fluid to pass therethrough and into the cylinder through the passages 12, 13 and 14.- in the shaft 2. This fluid under pressure when admitted to the cylinder causes the piston 3 to move forward and engage the friction face of the other clutch member 7, whereby said member 7 is driven as long as the clutch members remain in contact. To disengage said clutch members pressure in the cylinder 3 is relieved. by turning the valve 9 to a position to cut 05 the pipe 18 and connect the pipe 8 with an exhaust or outlet pipe 19, whereby the fluid in the cylinder escapes through said pipes and permits springs as 20 or other suitable means to retract the piston 3 and disengage it from the member 7. While we have shown a coiled ull spring connected to the piston 3, it is ofivious that other means may he employed for retracting the piston when pressure in the cylinder is relieved.

This improved clutch is especially designed for use on automobiles, motor boats or other machinery, and is very simple in construction and easily controlled.

The cont-rolling valve, of course, may be disposed at any point remote from the clutch, and said clutch may be used in connection with a hand or pressure operated reverse gear.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a fluid operated clutch a driving shaft, a cylinder keyed to said shaft, a piston arranged in said cylinder concentric with the shaft and connected to rotate with the cylinder, a complementary clutch member loosely mounted on said shaft, a fluid inlet passage extending through said shaft and opening into said cylinder, and a valve controlled fluid supply pipe communicating with the passage within said shaft, and means for retracting said pistonv'hen the fluid in the cylinder is released.

2. In a fluid operated clutch, thecombination of a revoluble shaft, a cylinder keyed thereto, a piston mounted to slide in said cylinder concentric With said shaft, means connecting said piston with said cylinder, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinder for actuating said piston, and a complementary mounted on said shaft for engagement by said piston.

clutch member loosely- 3. A fluid operated clutch comprising a shaft, a clutch member loosely mounted on said shaft, another clutch member on said shaft comprising a cylinder keyed to said shaft, a piston slidable in said cylinder and connected therewith, said shaft having transversely extending passages spaced longitudinally, a longitudinal passage extendin through said shaft and connecting said transverse passages, one of said transverse passages discharging into said cylinder above said piston, a collar loosely mounted on said shaft, an annular groove in said shaft under said collar and communicating with the outer transverse passage in the shaft, a fluid supply pipe having a controlling valve operable to supply the fluid to or exhaust it from said pipe, and means for retracting said piston when the fluid pressure in the cylinder has been relieved.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NATHANIEL F. MEYER.

Witnesses HARRY B, Hora, P. HULETT. 

